Sophomore guard Porter Kelly shoots a three-pointer in the corner during the first half versus Rutgers-Camden in Johnston Hall. Photo by Grace Nelson '26
Sophomore guard Porter Kelly shoots a three-pointer in the corner during the first half versus Rutgers-Camden in Johnston Hall. Photo by Grace Nelson '26
November 18, 2023

Hounds Drop First Game of 2023-24 in Non-Conference Loss to Rutgers-Camden

BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian University men’s basketball team rallied to take a 37-32 halftime lead, but visiting Rutgers-Camden scored 59 points in the second half on the way to defeating the Greyhounds, 91-85, in Johnston Hall Saturday afternoon as the Hounds lost for the first time in 2023-24. 

Program Photos Video Box Score

BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian University men's basketball team rallied to take a 37-32 halftime lead, but visiting Rutgers-Camden scored 59 points in the second half on the way to defeating the Greyhounds, 91-85, in Johnston Hall Saturday afternoon as the Hounds lost for the first time in 2023-24. 

How It Happened

  • The Scarlet Raptors opened the scoring, but the Blue & Grey took a 5-2 lead on a three-pointer from sophomore guard Porter Kelly. Rutgers-Camden moved back in front and eventually built a 17-11 advantage with 9:46 left in the first half
  • Moravian started to come back, getting within a point at 20-19 on a three-pointer from junior guard/forward Michael Leonardo, and the Greyhounds eventually moved back in front, 25-24, on a lay-up by sophomore forward Marquis Ratcliff at the 4:22 mark. The Scarlet Raptors knotted the score at 32-32 with just over a minute to play in the opening back; however, a three-pointer and a jumper by Kelly in the final minute set the Blue & Grey to the locker room with a 37-32 edge
  • Kelly began the second half with a three-pointer to push the lead to eight points at 40-32 before Rutgers-Camden netted eight straight to tie the game again at 40-40. Moravian retook the lead, and the Hounds were up 53-49 with 14:21 to go after a lay-up by Ratcliff. However, the Scarlet Knights scored the next eight points to take the lead for good at 57-53 with just under 13 minutes remaining
  • Moravian would get no closer than two points at 65-63 after a three-pointer from sophomore guard Liam Cummiskey with 10:24. Rutgers-Camden eventually pushed its edge to double figures, reaching a 12-point advantage at 86-74 with 2:13 to go

Inside the Numbers

  • Moravian had four players in double figures with Ratcliff netting a team-high 26 points to go with six rebounds, five blocked shots and two steals
  • Kelly tossed in 19 points to go with a career-best nine rebounds and five assists while junior forward Gary Francis had 12 points and three boards
  • Senior guard Alex Dietz added 10 points and four assists while Leonardo contributed nine points, nine assists and three rebounds
  • Senior guard Mark Howell recorded four points and a pair of assists while Cummiskey had three points and two boards and junior forward Nate Santiago added two points
  • The Hounds shot 30-for-58 from the floor, 10-of-28 beyond the three-point line and 15-for-22 at the charity stripe in the contest 

Up Next for the Greyhounds

  • Tuesday, November 21 vs. DeSales University, 8:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, November 29 at Drew University, 7:00 p.m.